Prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with falls among the elderly living at home

摘要: Attempts to determine the underlying causes of falls have come conflicting conclusions, partly because subject groups studied not been representative all elderly people. Two hundred and three randomly selected people 75 years over, living at home, were visited questioned about experienced in previous 12 months, factors that might be related falling. Eighty-six subjects (42.4%) had suffered one or more during this time, fallers, 49 (59.3%) injured, 9 them seriously. Women slightly likely injury, but no increase frequency with age was demonstrated. Only a minority fallers (43.0%) sought medical attention following their fall. Falls outside home accounted for 39.5% these due simple trips slips. Analysis showed considerable overlap between non-fallers. Fallers significantly greater dependency cognitive impairment, physical symptoms, higher scores anxiety depression, there association postural hypotension, neurological abnormalities, measurements relating nutritional state. The found significant on discriminant analysis combined "fall risk score". This type easily calculated score use paramedical personnel assessing falling among home.